Cameron:

Religion: Seton Religion 6, Bible Study and CCE
Math: Seton Math-either complete 6/5 or begin 7/6 depending on where we end up
Science: either Apologia Botany or Apologia General Science
History: Story of the World Volume 2
Latin: Latina Christiana I
Music: Instruments of Praise (he is trying to decide between clarinet or tuba)
Language Arts:
  Seton English 6
  Seton Spelling 6
  Seton Phonics 6
  Seton Handwriting 6
*Vocabulary will come from the different classes
Composition: IEW Medieval History-Based Writing
*IEW's Linguistic Development through Poetry or the Grammar of Poetry in the place of literature
*I am also researching Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts Program.....


Isaac:
I am currently swinging back and forth between Seton and Catholic Heritage Curriculum for this guy.
Math: Seton K
Science: either Seton K or Astronomy or Botany

Oh Well, I still have a few months before making some definite decisions.....

Well, here we are in 2010!  What a ride this home school adventure has been so far!  As we prepare to graduate Alex from high school (private school...only 80 days left!), we brought Isaac into preschool and Cameron works on moving up to middle school~WOW lots of changes! 

January is always the month when I start reassessing curriculum for Cameron and this year, assess curriculum for Isaac. For Cameron, some things are working...others are not.  Anyone that is around me long enough, knows I'm an "inside the lines" kind of girl.  Change is extremely hard for me!  The course load Cameron has now leaves me little time for Isaac so many compromises are in the works. Science we are still enjoying.  Unfortunately, we aren't getting to linger over lessons like we would like to.  Math is going along nicely.  Saxon seems to work well for Cameron.  History we love but again, we are not getting to dig deeper into the different lessons like we were able to last year. One saving grace has come by way of Museum Day classes.  Most of Cameron's classes and at least one exhibit were all tied to Ancient Civilizations! Whoo Hoo! We will go ahead and move on to the next volume next year, anyway. I really love the Story of the World approach to History! English we are definitely not liking and that will be changed as well.  Composition has potential, but unfortunately, I did not buy a teacher or student manual so it has been confusing at times.  I have remedied that by purchasing that bundle and we are looking forward to it being here any day now!  We are on the fence about Literature right now.  It has taken us so long to get Cameron to read for enjoyment, but some of the books he is reading now are already quenching that spark.  The course load has been more than a little overwhelming at times.  Well, like I said, it is the time for change and new beginnings!  This semester, we signed Cameron up for Tae Kwon Do at our YMCA, instead of regular P.E.  This course only meets twice a week for one hour each session.  That means just Children's Choir on Wednesday evenings, which Cameron really enjoys.  I plan on signing Cameron up for Altar Server training.  One of my only regrets is that with Xavier's  schedule, we have not been able to sign Cameron up for any boys clubs (Squires, Blue Knights, Conquest, Scouts, 4-H, etc.).  I will keep praying on this-I'm sure God has a plan......

Isaac has been enjoying what little time I've been able to give him school wise.  He has picked up many things on his own and I am amazed at his thirst for knowledge (and activity level!).  He is writing his name and most of his capital letters.  He is counting to 10 in English and Spanish and has even moved on to counting to 100.  He instinctively corrects the spoken sentence.  I am torn at this point between curriculum that is challenging but dry-leaving little room for imagination and exploration, or curriculum that is more gentler in approach, yet encourages imagination and exploration.  So I will still continue to research curriculum....April is not too far away!!

  Another thing we have not been able to incorporate into our days is any kind of "nature" study.  I have purchased Anne Comstock's "A Handbook of Nature Study" and am on the Handbook of Nature Study elist, but with Cameron's intense course load, the wacky schedule of our day to day lives and freaky weather, that has never come to fruition like we had hoped and planned!  We have also missed our trips to the zoo!  Xavier has had to travel quite a bit this past year and 2010 looks to have him travel even more!  He has expressed a desire for me and the boys to travel with him on some of the trips, and homeschooling should give us the flexibility to do that.  Traveling was always something we had hoped to do more of with this homeschooling adventure!  With Xavier traveling sometimes weeks at a time with his only time home with family on the weekends, those family times are extremely important to us. 

As for myself, I have found my motivation in all areas to have dwindled quite a bit-sad to say!  I need to focus much more on balancing homeschooling and keeping our home ship shape.  We also have found ourselves falling away from our regular prayer life-a BIG "a-hah" moment for us.  I will say we are enjoying a change of parish community...it is quite refreshing and uplifting to finally be part of a parish with a "can do", "family" attitude!  Cameron enjoys his time in Choir and his CCE class.  Isaac loves the nursery and his CCE class.  Isaac is also doing extremely well in church (sometimes too well-he falls asleep!). 

Each new year (and new semester) brings change and growth.  Sometimes growth is painful-we often have to be pruned back in order to reach maximum healthy growth!  May the Lord be gentle with the shears.....

Well, we did the red cabbage dying activity....and had some success!  The dye came out a beautiful shade of purple!  We dyed two white t-shirts with the dye and they both came out wonderful.  On the other hand, we tried to dye some macaroni to make necklaces, but the noodles just turned to mush and never took on a purple color....just a greyish tint.  This dye worked much better than the blueberry version we tried last year.

Yesterday we didn't have time for schoolwork because it SNOWED here ALL DAY!!!  Earliest snow on record for Houston!  This was Isaac's first real snow ever.  Cameron vaguely remembers when it snowed about 5 years ago.

Today we're off to run errands:
*Haircut for Cameron
*Shipping a package off to Kyra
*Picking up dry cleaning
*Picking up printer ink
*Picking up dog food
*Grocery shopping

Then later on tonight we'll go to Mass where Cameron will sing in the Children's Choir.  We've really enjoyed the music the children sing!

Before bedtime we'll read an Advent book and light the 2nd candle on our Advent wreath...and so begins the 2nd week of Advent...the week of Preparation.....

I forgot to do this yesterday so bear with me....

On the 1st, Cameron read the story "White Snow, Bright Snow" by Alvin Tresselt to Isaac.  We have a possibility to see some snow on Friday.  Isaac has never seen snow so we are trying to "prepare" him a little.

Last night, I read "Snow Family'" by Daniel Kirk~it's about all the little snow children that kids make that run rampant until one little boy decides they need "snow parents" to love them and take care of them.  Adorable story!

As part of our Christmas Mosaic, I also read "Clown of God" by Tomie dePaola.  In this story, poor Giovanni represents each one of us.  We really have nothing to offer Christ but our talents and our love.  Each of us is but a little ball, a play thing, in His hands.  He can do with us what He wills.  Like Giovanni, sometimes our cares in the world make us lose sight of our real purpose in life.  Giovanni teaches us that we should seek to make those around us happy because, by doing so, we make Christ happy~and Christ is our our ultimate audience!

Cameron will be doing coursework in Religion, Math, Science, Latin, History, Geography, Literature, Spelling, Grammar, P.E., Phonics and Composition today. I'm hoping to get in some Christmas Mosaic time with him as well....keeping my fingers crossed!   We are also keeping in the Advent spirit by making purple dye from red cabbage (like the Phonecians...but less smelly than snails).  Then we will talk about how purple was called the "color of kings" and how Christ is OUR King!  Then we will hopefully be able to dye some macaroni and beads to make Advent necklaces!

Tomorrow is our annual trip to Brookwood Community.  It is a Christian educational, residential, and entrepreneurial community for adults with functional disabilities.  The residents make all kinds of pottery and grow the most beautiful pointsettias!  Each year at Christmas, they hold an Open House where you can tour the facility and watch the residents at work.  They also put on a beautiful Christmas pageant/show.  We take our family each year to not only tour and shop, but to instill in our children the importance that EVERYONE has a gift or talent and purpose in life....not just those people whom society would tell us are "normal".  My sister-in-law has Down's Syndrome and this is a great way for my children to see how important people like their Aunt Ana are to our communities and our lives!!

Tomorrow night we take Alex and his friend Christopher to their Archdiocesan Youth Council retreat.  This will be Alex's last retreat with them, since he is a senior and will not be going to the discernment retreat in the spring.  He is really sad about this.  This group has been like a second community/family for him over the past few years.

Saturday evening, Cameron sings with the Children's Choir at Mass.  They have been learning the most beautiful Advent songs!  At their rehersal last night, you could just close your eyes and hear the angels singing with them!  Signing Cameron up for this activity was a wonderful thing.....I thank God daily for Mrs. Sabine and Mrs. Kiera!!! They truly have the patience of Job and the love of Christ in them!!!

The time of Advent is upon us!  Advent is a time of preparation and waiting~not only for the coming of the Christmas season, but most importantly for the coming of Christ!  I find it very sad that such a wonderful teaching time of the year is spent by most people thinking only of getting "what they want".

Each year during Advent, especially since we began homeschooling, we take the month of December "off" of our usual schedule (well, at least until this year...).  We normally focus on Mass, the readings of the day, Advent calendars, the Christmas story, special Saints of the day/season, charitable acts, preparing our hearts and homes for the coming of our Lord and making many wonderful memories together.  For our family, the time between Thanksgiving and Epiphany is filled not only with the "usual" holidays, but also birthdays, feast days, time with relatives, traveling, prayer, love and service. 

Cameron has his days filled with co-op work so he will not be getting to participate in our Advent activities as much as before.  I am finding that most of my Advent reading is with Isaac, as Cameron's reading time is filled with more school related reading, although I hope he is able to occasionally overhear our Advent stories.  This year, I'm very excited to have finally purchased an Advent book I've been hoping to get for a long time...."The Donkey's Dream by Barbara Helen Berger.  It is a lovely story of the donkey who carries the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem and all of the things he dreams he is carrying along the way.  It is a beautiful Advent story and the rich symbolism and the reverent beauty of the illustrations transcend all age levels.

On the home front, Xavier is traveling again this month.  Today he left for Gaffney, South Carolina for a week.  Then he'll be home a week.  The following week he will be off to Louisiana.  His travels during the holiday season make it difficult to do things as a family, but we are so grateful he has a good steady job during these trying economic times. 
Alex gets his braces off tomorrow after 4 long years.  He is SO excited!  This will be the first time in almost 9 years that we will have no kids with braces!  Cameron is next but the dentist says it will be at least a year or so before he is ready for that step.  Alex is doing very good in school, passing everything with A's and B's, while continuing to hold down a job (or two) and being active in church activities.  We are very proud of him!
Zach is doing well, also.  He is losing weight steadily, and in a healthy manner.  Just since he's been home (August), he's gone from a 2 X shirt size down to a Large!  He is a big help during the week days and has really had time to bond with his younger brothers.  His weekends are completely filled with work.  We don't see much of him from Friday morning until late Sunday night.  He is still looking forward to the Air Force!

Cameron is doing ok with schoolwork.  Xavier and I have been closely watching his course load.  With reading for literature, history, science and religion, he is not finding much time for "fun" reading.  Math has not gotten the attention that I think it needs, although he is doing well at what we are able to accomplish.  We have been plagued by printer issues this year, but a new printer is not in our foreseeable future. This has really caused some roadblocks, since a lot of "work" needs to come off that printer, both for co-op and for Isaac/Alex's schoolwork. I am not very impressed with the English program we are using so far.  I am already researching for something that is more "user" friendly for next year.  (Yes, I have already begun the curriculum search for next year....April comes oh so fast!!!).  Latin has been a delight, and we are so pleased to get to use our "Latin prayers and songs" at church in Mass each week, and even in Children's Choir.  It is such a joy to see Cameron singing and praying along and "understanding" what he's saying/singing!  On the other hand, we are seeing some "pre-teen" behavior issues cropping up that we are having to stay on top of (whining, interrupting, questioning-when inappropriate).

Isaac is coming along with his schoolwork.  He's enjoying learning his ABC's in sign language...A LOT!  He is working really hard on trying to hold his pencils and crayons and markers correctly.  He loves story time.  He is really at that "active" age where he needs more supervision.  The other day I went to the store and came home to find he had drawn a mustache and goatee on himself.....and the dog!  He LOVES to sing! If anything that is an understatement.  He loves it when his dad and brothers set up the Rock Band (Beatles of course) and he gets to "microwave" (use the microphone)!  He knows all his colors and shapes.  He knows most of the planets (Saturn is his absolute favorite). 

Today is quiet.  Peaceful.  Almost like a "pause".....as we wait

In reverent hope

and joy

for the coming of Christ into our hearts and homes......

Today is Veteran's Day! 

You know, most people hear that term (if they even acknowledge it at all) and think only of people who served in wars long ago!  When our daughter, Kyra entered the U.S. Navy several years ago, one of the first medals she earned/received was a medal of service for entering the military during a time of war!  People today tend to not think of us being at war on the same level as maybe WWI or WWII.  Many people signed up for the military right after 9/11.  Their courage and patriotism is a shining example to us today who take so many things for granted.  We let political correctness seep into our lives along with relativism, and then we are shocked when things like the attack at Fort Hood take place on our own soil!!   My oldest son, Zach is working hard to get into the Air Force.  Some of his best friends are Marines.  The military people we know of are filled with honor, courage, loyalty, determination, and love.  Love for family and for their country.  As a nation we used to be so proud to have our sons and daughters join and serve in the military.  Today, too many families see that same commitment and courage as something to be looked down on.  I personally have so much more respect for the kid who joins any branch of the military -especially those who join without the privilege of being an officer.  These people KNOW they are in for some rough time-possibly even death, yet they sign up anyway!    I have had people question our family acceptance of our childrens decisions to join the military.  I would tell these people, not only do I accept it, I consider it one of THE most honorable jobs they could EVER have!  I will support them, pray for them, encourage them and love them unconditionally!! 
We joke with Zach sometimes about joining a branch without the stricter requirements-people they say, why would you send your kid to the front to be killed.  I say if my child CHOOSES to go into the military and put him or herself in danger to protect your rights (esp. your right to complain!), then as a parent and as a patriotic American, I will support them in anyway I can.

I think today, people don't truly realize how close we are to losing so many of those freedoms.  Our Veterans do not get the recognition and honor they truly deserve.  We should never have homeless Vets!

God Bless America

God Bless American Vets....Past, Present and Future!

–adjective

3.	(of soldiers) having had service or experience in warfare: veteran troops.

4.	experienced through long service or practice; having served for a long period: a veteran member of Congress.

5.	of, pertaining to, or characteristic of veterans.

Well, we are still chugging along here at the Heart and Mind Academy!  I would say things are going routinely, but that has not been the case yet, which, I guess, is one of the key things about homeschooling...flexibility! (well, almost....co-op does require some sort of regularity...!
 
We have found some time to enjoy a few park days...but not many.  Hopefully with the cooler weather coming, we can figure out how to do more of that!  We had a great Museum Day this month.  One of Cameron's classes was on "The Food of the Ancient Civilizations" ( the other class was on the eye, complete with dissection).  Cameron got to make and taste some of the foods we had read about in our history lessons (he said the cheese was gross).  Then our IMAX (in 3D this time) was Ancient Egyptian Mummies.  Again, tying in with our history class very nicely! (I like it when that happens...)

We had a small field trip to the zoo to observe bears.  They mostly slept.  Grizzly bears have very long claws!  Isaac especially enjoyed the "spectacled bears".  He love saying "spectacled bears"! 

This past weekend we went on something called the Texas Outdoor Family Event.  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department puts on these events at various State Parks.  It is basically "camping 101" for either beginners, people like us who haven't camped in a long time, or just as a refresher course.  Since each State Park is unique, each event is unique.  We camped at Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, Texas.  Since it had been about 7 or 8 years since we had been camping, which meant Cameron was too young to remember it, and Isaac had never been, we felt this was an excellent way to introduce the boys to outdoor adventures.  The boys really enjoyed the weekend!  Cameron learned how to set up camp, cook, kayak, fish and geocache.  They also learned about night time sounds they might hear when the went to sleep.  They got to see the Milky Way for the first time (we live in Houston....not a lot of stars can get through the "light noise" of the big city).  The night sky looked like someone had thrown sparkles all over!
Isaac got very nervous around dark...asking every 5 minutes when we were going to go "home".  He spent the night clutching my hand, but he did eventually fall asleep.

This week, Xavier is off in florida till Saturday evening.  Next week, we'll go as a family to the Texas Rennaissance Festival "school days".  This has become a favorite event for us.  We meet my parents and my sister and her family there and spend the day in medieval times!

Well, another couple of weeks has flown by!  We are slowly putting out bedroom back together.  Cameron says it feels like a "new" house when he walks into our bedroom!  I'm trying to be very picky about what goes back into that room, so the decluttering process has been slow but thorough.  Next will be the living room floor.....

Schoolwork is progressing at a slow pace.  Slow and steady I guess.  The housework has fallen way behind, but that is a combination of having remodeling work done, a 20 year old back in the house, and a very very active 4 year old.  I just close my eyes and take a deep breath and think happy thoughts......  Cameron is doing better with his writing and illustrating.  He doesn't fight it as much.  Key words...as much.
Math is still torture but little steps.  He is loving tennis and is doing fairly well at it.  We have been trying to stay close to home so we don't get off track as much this year.  This seems to be working well.  Isaac is just loving life as usual.  He is really enjoying learning his alphabet, especially the sign language part.  He is also learning Beatles songs.  Not exactly part of the curriculum, but he's definitely working on his memorization skills!  We bought the Beatles Rockband and it has been a great family game.  Cameron saved money to by MarioKart and he and Isaac have been racing up a storm!  Isaac is also working on riding his bike without training wheels!

Alex is holding down his job and keeping grades up.  Great accomplishment!  Senior year goes by too fast!  Zach is working hard on losing weight the right way.  He's running regularly now.  Big accomplishments for him!


The boys are really enjoying their new CCE classes.  I am amazed at the volunteers that are there every single week!  This past Sunday, Isaac had 4!!! adults helping with his class!  They are both enjoying children's choir...something never offered at our previous parish.  With this group, too, there are always many adults helping out.  The directors really love the kids and every child...from Isaac (who isn't even officially a member yet) to the oldest kids are treated as precious gifts from God.  This past Saturday evening, they got to sing at Mass for the first time.  While Cameron has done this before at a First Friday Mass, this was the first time in this parish (which is really big!).  they will sing at a Saturday Mass every month, and in December they will sing for a Christmas Eve Mass, and then again on the Feast of the Holy Family.Their children's choir has about 40 participants ranging in age from 5 to 5th grade.  This has been so good for him. 

We have plans this month to go to the Rennaissance Festival again.  This is a field trip our family looks forward to every year. So far, we've avoided the H1N1 virus although friends of ours have been sick with it.  We are trying to keep everyone healthy!

Hopefully your schooling, whether at home or school, is going well this Fall!

Well, our bedroom is about 75% done.  Projects in this house seem to take FOREVER!  Xavier finally got the tiling done this weekend with the help of a good friend.  Nothing says "good friend" like someone willing to spend THEIR day off on their hands and knees on your floor tiling all day.....  I'm praying really hard that we get to at least start grouting this evening..... Then, another weekend for trim and doors.....then finally we might get to move our stuff back in there!!!

With the house as torn up as it is, it is simply amazing that we are able to get anything, including schoolwork done around here!  Thursday and Friday were spent (about 10 hours EACH) working on schoolwork....that STILL isn't completed!  Friday night was homecoming for Alex-his last (he's a senior). The kids and I really needed a break from the books!  Saturday, I took the boys to a Nature Fest (to get them out of the house so the tiling could go on).  We had a lot of fun, but it was WAY too hot!!  We were definitely not dressed for the weather!!  The boys got to play with armadillos, possums and other animals.  Afterwards, we went to some friends home to cool off and eat dinner while the tile set in our bedroom.  The kids had fun playing while we visited.  Alex was off at his homecoming dance. 

Yesterday, we went to church, CCE and tennis practice.  The guys finished tiling the room (yea!).  Our bedroom is the second largest room in our tiny house.  Consequently, most of the large furniture is in there....well, WAS in there....now it's spread out all over the place, including school tables!  Not sure how we are going to get any schoolwork done this week....guess what gets done, gets done.

So far, we are also blessed that we haven't been hit with the H1N1 flu.  Allergies are running rampant here, but we can deal with that stuff.  We are certainly praying for all those who have had a run in with the flu.....nasty stuff. 

We're also hoping for some cooler, more fall-like weather. 

As you can tell, things are hectic as usual here at the Heart and Mind Homeschool!  Thankfully, we have all been well except for the occasional allergy.  I have been taking the apple cider vinegar drink every morning for about 2 months, but have noticed no changes or benefits so far.  My family and I detest the smell.  I might give it one more month then it goes back into the pantry for general cooking use!

Xavier has been traveling again.  He just got back from a week in Georgia and will be making a trip to Florida next month.  Our weekends are full, full, full!  We are looking forward to going camping next month for a bit of R & R!  We have lots of home improvement projects that are on the list but finances dictate one step at a time!

Zach is doing well in his quest to lose weight and enter the Air Force.  He has been a big help here at home during the day and running/working out in the evenings.  He works all weekend and some weeknights, too. He got to go to Museum Day this week and scored big with the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit!  Right up his alley!  He even knew the young man working the exhibit and the friend gave Zach and Cameron both the earphones/tape recorded visit set (normally $9 each) for free!  As we had a class on the Terra Cotta Warriors beforehand, Cameron and Zach really learned a lot that day.  As we were leaving the museum, I asked Cameron what was one important thing he learned that day.  His answer..." Friendship Rocks"! 

Cameron has a full plate this year.  Co-op is a VERY long day...9am to 5:30pm.  There is a lot more work involved.  He is doing his best to adjust, but weeks like this past one where Xavier is gone all week, and Museum Day then Park Day, not as much gets done.  Not sure how I feel about that right now.  One of the things we like about Homeschooling is the flexibility it gives.  Now we're back to playing catchup!  Cameron really is doing his best.  Schoolwork gets done with less whining (except for math of course), and he is doing his reading and writing with less direction and struggle.

Isaac is loving school.  He is learning the alphabet, including the ASL signs for the letters.  He is working hard on sight words.  We have hummingbirds and he loves to sit and watch them.  He is very active and his imagination soars all the time!

Alex is doing well holding down 2 jobs and keeping schoolwork up to par.  Just got progress reports and he's doing pretty good!  He works at a parish and occasionally at an entertainment facility on an as needed basis.  He hasn't had as much time for his music, but he does get in some strumming every day.  He is off this morning helping his dad cook for a retreat.

I am doing ok.  Overwhelmed seems to be my permanent state of mind, but I'm adjusting.  Tried some "natural" products for the house-dishwashing liquid and homemade laundry detergent.  I have NOT been impressed with either so far and have been asked by my family to return to our usual products.  I am agreeing with them on this one!  With having my bedroom torn up, I've been decluttering lots of things.  That has been liberating and I can't wait till my room is tiled and finished and I have my little sanctuary back!  My husband has given me charge of our weekly finances (other than bill paying).  That is a HUGE responsibility!  Making sure we have plenty of food, gas in the cars, school stuff, house hold needs and having some left over for emergencies is heavy stuff.  It requires good stewardship and balance and planning ahead!  I give this up to God and will be praying to be given good discernment in all these areas!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

The 2009-2010 School Year will be another year of letting go.  The boy that was my youngest for 7 years is a Senior in High School!  Alex has to make the most changes so far.  He went from being the baby of the family to being a middle child.  Then, from middle child, he took on the role of oldest child when both his older siblings graduated and left home.  He got a car at an age when the older two were still taxi'ed' around by mom and dad.  He is learning to support himself at an age when the older two were still totally reliant on parents.  So far, he has done an amazing job.  We still have to remember he is still young.  He will be graduating from high school at 17! 
Of all our kids so far, Alex is more "well-rounded".  I know it's due, in part to his personality, but it is also due to being put in many different roles and situations.  Alex is active in many things and wants to try many things.  The good thing is that whatever he's involved in, he gives 100% to. 
Alex has watched his two older siblings go through high school (public), graduate, and move on.  He has learned from all of this.  For as long as we've ever heard him talk about growing up, he has wanted to be a Marine.  Now, seeing his sister go through the military, and talking with her about her experiences, he has decided on a different path for now.  His older brother has gone off to the technical school (which is now a technical college) to pursue a career in computers and is now contemplating another career change/move.  We have ALWAYS told our children that God has given them gifts and talents and has a plan for them.  A four year or more college education isn't the path for everyone, no matter WHAT today's society would have us believe!  My husband and I both have Associates Degrees and my husband has been able to support us .....most of the time quite well, on just that education, plus hard work and determination ...oh and a love for what he does! 
Alex has decided on something with Mechanical Engineering and cars.  Instead of jumping into a 4 year school, he has come up with his own plan.  He wants to go to the same Technical school his dad and I went to, learn how to work on cars and get his mechanics certificate.  In 2 years he will have a marketable career!  Then he wants to transfer over to a 4 year school, and use that education he then has to work on cars and help pay for his way through school and gain valuable experience in the field.  Not bad for a teenager! 
We try hard not to "live through our kids."  We've seen that happen many times.  We parents have no business telling our kids "what" they should become!  When my husband graduated, his parents basically said...you will go to this school and take this course and get this job-as long as they were having to pay for the education.  Like a good son, that's what my husband did.  Fortunately, the course chosen for him was one he enjoyed but never would have been his first choice.  To this day my husband has regrets about not pursuing the career he desired with all his heart....record/music production. He also wanted to play in a band.  That was cut short and stifled by what someone else said he "should" do.  Again, we're fortunate that he enjoys working with electronics, but is that the career that would have been closer to his heart ? No.  Now that he's older, he's having to live some of that life on the edge.....

As a parent, it is very hard to truly "let go" of our kids.  They have been our responsibility for so long!  I think it does get easier with time (and experience) but with some kids it is harder than others.  While I know Alex will do well where ever he chooses to go and no matter what he chooses to do, it is still hard sometimes to say-well son, it is YOUR life....how can I help and support you?  That is what God wants of us parents at that point!  The bible says to "train up a child in the way he should go".....that IS our job....not hold their hands forever!  Cutting the apron strings (as my kids like to put it), is harder for me than it is for my kids!!!  Just yesterday we had a discussion about Homecoming.  Alex is pretty ambivalent towards it....I on the other hand am going nuts...it's his SENIOR year for goodness sake.....of course he has to go to Homecoming! LOL!!! My husband just chuckles at me......"let him go" my husband says.
Easier said than done....

He is my little boy, you know!

Ok, we're back! Did you miss us?

It's been a long, hot, crazy summer and I'm definitely looking forward to the more normal routines of Fall! 

Since co-op doesn't start until sometime after Labor Day, we have been working a pared down school load.  Cameron is working on math, phonics, handwriting, reading, spelling and a character unit study along with religion.  Isaac is working on fine motor skills such as cutting, coloring, and pasting.  He's been using both hands so he still hasn't settled on whether he will be a lefty or a righty or even ambidextrous! 

This is Alex's senior year in high school!  Almost 3 down! Two to go!  He has decided not to play football this year and is helping start a drumline for his school.  Zachary is still at TSTC.  He has changed his major from Computer Networking and security to Digital Media Production.  I'm hearing rumors that he's thinking Air Force as well.....!  Kyra is finally back in the states! She is stationed in Ridgecrest, California at China Lake Naval Weapons Center.  Basically the middle of nowhere!  But at least it's U.S. nowhere!  She will actually get to come home for the Labor Day weekend and we are all looking forward to that!  It sure is a lot cheaper to fly someone to and from California than it is to fly them to and from Japan!

Co-op this year will be very different from the last several years. Instead of just doing one or two subjects, they will be doing several different subjects: Science (Zoology 3), Latin, P.E., English, Literature Study, Writing, Geography, Art and some history (the majority of history will be done here at home).  They will also be working on some memorization.  Cameron will also be taking choir at church.  So it will definitely be an interesting year!

Ok, gotta run...duty (and love) calls.....

I find it interesting that when someplace like New York experiences a couple of 90 degree days in a row, it's all over the news. Yet when some place like Houston (4th largest city in the nation) goes for 50 straight days with no rain and almost as many days in the 100's it's barely a blip on the screen.  What's up with that?  We haven't enjoyed any outside time, really, this summer because of this heat and humidity! 

Xavier is off in Florida again.  I know he's tired of living out of suitcases this summer and it doesn't look to be ending anytime soon.  I can't keep up with all the laundry these days and my bedroom and the boys bedroom need complete overhauls. 

Still in the waiting mode for my homeschooling stuff and it is driving me up a wall, but I'm working on my virtue of patience.  I'll just have to start the boys off with what I have so far in 19 more days!  Cameron has 2 weeks of VBS coming up and Isaac has 1.  There was a possibility of them doing 3 VBS but the third would be the week we start school and the evening session won't take Isaac so we won't be doing that one. Then school begins!  I'm really hoping this heat breaks soon.  Our hottest month of the year is August and we haven't even gotten there yet!!

I hope this finds everyone staying cool and hydrated!!

Both of the boys are loving The Hobbit!  They ask for me to read a chapter to them several times a day.  We were at a Youth conference this weekend and we spent most of our time either in the pool or laying around the hotel room (air conditioned!) reading and listening to the Hobbit.  I'm so glad Cameron has enjoyed this book so far and even Isaac is learning to sit still and listen.
The boys had their well checkups today and passed with flying colors.  These kids tend to be so healthy it's scary sometimes!  Tonight is the last official swim meet for Cameron.  Later in the week he'll have prelims and then finals if he makes it that far.
We are still having no rain and record breaking heat here in Houston but the weathermen are tormenting us with the thought that rain might finally be on the way sometime this weekend.

Stay cool my friends, stay cool!

For the last several months, it has been extremely hot in Texas.  A high pressure dome over Louisiana has kept us in sweltering heat with little to no measurable rainfall in our area since April/May.  Our average rainfall for May is 5.15 inches.....we received 0.38 inches.  Our average rainfall for June/July is 6.45 inches....as of July 9 we have received only 1.75 inches. The temperatures for June and July have been almost entirely over 95 degrees every day with at least 11 days over 100 degrees with a high humidity.  We have been under heat advisories for many days now.  Our heat index's have hovered between 103 and 110.  Most of the state is under some kind of water conservation plan and burn ban.  Here in Texas most people are used to hot days (actually summer seems to last about 9 months of the year here) but nothing like this.  Animals of all kinds are looking for water.
This, my friends is a very dangerous heat.  Last weekend we went to San Antonio for the 4th of July weekend.  It was almost unbearably hot!  Cars were breaking down due to heat.  There is nothing fun about this heat and we are learning to take extra measures to keep ourselves and our children safe.  My husband tolerates heat much better than I do.  I also sunburn in the shade with SPF 50 on. No kidding. 

Several months ago, we purchased a Wii for our family.  We have invested in some games because the entire family has been enjoying it and we have needed some break from the heat.  We've been playing it in the evening (we are supposed to limit our electricity use between 3 and 7pm due to the stress on the power grid).  During the daytime we have kept all the lights off in the house and try to keep things low key. We've been reading The Hobbit and indulging in afternoon siestas (naps). We have a teen that is highly allergic to mold and mildew and our allergist informed us that the only way to really keep that stuff out of our house in this high humidity area was to keep the a/c set on 76 degrees (it really works-you can actually feel a difference in the humidity!).  That is our one big splurge.  Even the computers go off for most of the day to keep the temps down as much as possible.

When we went on our trip last weekend, we went on several adventures, one of which was going through a cave (Cascade Caverns).  It was nice and cool in the cave....the temperature was a steady 65 degrees year round!  Tonight, on the National Geographic Channel, Cameron and I watched a documentary about a cave in Mexico- Crystal Cave that is filled with giant crystals.  There, the temperatures are around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and over 80% humidity!  It is one of the deadliest environments on earth!  Spending just 15 minutes in that cave without special protection could kill humans.  Cameron and I were intrigued by what the scientists were saying about the heat.  After spending just 10 minutes in temperatures around 105 degrees Fahrenheit, your body starts to die-organs begin the dying process.  Even with special equipment, the scienctists could only be in the cave for 30 minutes at a time!  These scientists are studying this cave in conjunction with research with space travel and a potential Mars trip.  They are testing equipment here in this giant cave that they will use on other planets someday!

It has been such a long time since we have felt this heat for so many days.  Water mains are breaking, sidewalks and roads are buckling.  Our family is going through popsicles and water like crazy.  During this hot season, think about people who HAVE to work in this environment-especially our Sanitation Department workers.  How about providing them with cold, fresh water when they come by your home? We often give out popsicles, bananas, ice cold watermelon and frozen grapes.  We have nice big trees in our front yard that we invite them to rest under if they have a minute.  We do this every summer and they seem so grateful that someone notices and cares for them and the important job they do!

Lord, we need some nice, gentle rain and cooler temperatures!

Yesterday, we started reading "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.  I really enjoy reading this book.  It is written so well that you can see it in your mind as you read it.  The first chapter is very funny with Gandalf and the thirteen dwarves making their first appearances.  Since the first chapter involves "Tea" and inviting over guests, we talked about hospitality and being prepared for guests.

Today Cameron wanted to invite over some friends he hasn't seen in a very long time but I told him that like in the book, guests would have to wait until he did his part by cleaning and preparing the house for guests.  We'll see if he really wants to have friends over to play. 

So far, Cameron really likes the book.  He told me he thought it would be boring but now he's looking forward to reading the next chapter!

This week, Cameron is at a Weapons Camp.  I'm not sure what all that entails except weapons (I am assuming their history and uses and how to make them), several boys and fun.  While he is away in the mornings I'm still doing some cleaning.  Cleaning is a good way for me to declutter things around the house.  That is something I need to do every single day!  For most of our early married years, finances were extremely tight.  Now that they aren't "AS" tight, I'm noticing my family's (including me) tendency towards not wanting to get rid of things.  This is something we will be working on!

I am also still contemplating the up coming homeschool year.  The co-op Cameron has been in for a couple of years is going to make some pretty big changes so Xavier and I have really been trying to discern which way to go with that.  I am finding that until the co-op question is answered, I cannot really finalize my own school year or even do lesson plans and for our family, the "official" school year begins in 4 weeks!

We are praying for rain here.  It is extremely dry.  We haven't had a measurable rainfall in what seems like forever.  We are under burn bans and extreme heat advisories.  This was the quietest 4th of July we've EVER experienced-in San Antonio we didn't hear even one single firecracker the entire weekend!  On the way home last night we passed a big forest fire on one side of the freeway and then a smaller fire on the other side of the freeway.  We are praying for the drought to end soon!

This past school year we did most of our schoolwork at the dining table.  While that is centrally located in the house and close to the bookshelves, the table is a little too tall for our comfort when working there most of the day.  The lighting in that room is also not the best for reading and writing without turning on the house lights (something we are trying to cut back on).  Also, this year Isaac will be doing more sit down at the table work and he needs a table that he fits at more comfortable for longer periods of time. 

While we have a breakfast table that we usually start the school year at (the breakfast room has the best lighting in the house I think), it is crowded in with the big dog crate (husky sized).  It also becomes the catch all for everyone it seems.  We went to IKEA this weekend just to look around and stumbled across two great finds.  A nice sized (but very inexpensive) coffee table and a breakfast table that seats 4 that is practically the perfect height and fit for what we need also at a very inexpensive price. 

So this weekend I spent cleaning off the breakfast room table while Xavier put together the new coffee table.  The dog crate will get moved to my room and the old table will be dismantled and set aside for when our daughter or son gets into their own apartment.

Summer is a time of anticipation for me.  Anticipation and reorganization.  I spend the summer time cleaning out the bookshelves and storing old curriculum, checking on supplies needed for the coming year, filling out lesson plans and so forth.  I truly anticipate the school year when my two boys and I are focused on learning about all the wonderful things around us!

Lately I have been noticing relationships and friendships.  With two of my children having reached "adulthood" and moving out and on (one in California and one in college) and my 3rd child hovering on the edge himself, being a senior and working, the relationships in my family are shifting.  I have noticed lately how blessed I am that even though these kids have the usual sibling rivalries, the "depth" of their relationships with each other and us as parents is quite deep. Zachary turned 20 yesterday-away at college.  Being the kind of kid we raised, he threw himself a party and bbq'd for all of his friends.  He spent a week at least working on this, with many phone calls to dad about what to buy, how to prepare it and what to serve with it.    We talked to him several times on his birthday and he was thoroughly enjoying himself by entertaining and making others happy.  His siblings-one in California and one away at a Youth Conference made sure-without any prompting from mom or dad, to call him and wish him a Happy Birthday.  At one point, he and the 10 year old were even making plans on something for next year! Very specifically just the two of them! 
Kyra called to let us know she had driven to Los Angeles on Friday to visit a friend from Houston who happened to live there now. She made it there safely and called us several times to let us know what she was doing and letting us know she was safe in the (Michael Jackson) chaos that L.A. was going through.  She made it VERY clear that she wanted nothing to do with that!
Alex was at the Steubenville Youth Conference in Louisiana this weekend. I was fortunate to find out that they were doing a live internet stream of the event.  We pretty much kept it on all weekend and even caught a glimpse of our son's group at one point.  He always has such an awesome experience there and at AYC (Archdiocesan Youth Conference).  He told us he couldn't wait to get home and share his experiences with us again.
Last night, I experienced an extreme feeling of blessedness as I listened to my 10 year old and 4 year old in their bed laughing, telling stories and talking to each other. Imagine-a 10 and 4 year old communicating without arguing or physical violence!

Devoloping strong familial relationships has been extremely important to our family.  We do have the usual sibling rivalries and issues but in the end, they all love each other and would go to the ends of the earth for each other.  The older kids have always been there for the younger ones.  It never ceases to amaze me-this love.....

Today at Mass, Father Gately started us out by having every one introduce themselves to the people around each other.  Even before Mass started, we witnessed many acts of kindness around us.  Then Father started talking about the Michael Jackson death.  He stressed many times that he "just didn't get it".  He said that he was amazed to see people who obviously never really knew Michael acting like they were his next of kin.  This was a man who yes was a good musician and dancer, but was surrounded by so many controversies in his lifetime.  A lifetime spent mostly secreted away from the public eye.  Durning this same short period, we also lost Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett.  Why were these people (celebrities) not mourned with the same fervor?  Farrah Fawcett, who's last days were spent with such courage and bravery fighting a little known cancer and bringing her battle to the world so that others might find some hope.  Barely a blip on the screen compared to the Michael Jackson chaos. 
Father said he wondered if we as a society have so isolated ourselves with "things" and kept distances between and  in our family and friend relationships, that we almost automatically "latch on" to these big named celebrities.  What the world had with Michael Jackson was NOT an intimate relationship. For the vast majority of the world it was not even an acquaintence relationship.
Today's reading spoke of the woman who touched Jesus garment as he was on the way to Jarius house to cure his daughter.  Jesus knew instantly when he was touched and stopped-even in the midst of this crisis, to turn and ask "who touched me"-he wanted a true face-to-face relationship with this person.  He wanted to tell her to her face that her faith had healed her! 
Jesus (the biggest celebrity of all as far as I'm concerned) wants to have that face-to-face relationship with each of us-no matter how big the crowd is, he WILL find us! THAT is the kind of relationship we ought to have with others....are we willing to follow Jesus example and bring that relationship to others around us?  I surely hope so.